So I can not get these gauge lights working. I messed with the dimmer switch and dont think it's the problem. How can I test the wires that go to the switch to determine which is the problem. Which one should be power? My headlights and tail lights work fine so I do not think it is the fuse either.

So I can not get these gauge lights working. I messed with the dimmer switch and dont think it's the problem. How can I test the wires that go to the switch to determine which is the problem. Which one should be power? My headlights and tail lights work fine so I do not think it is the fuse either.

I don't mean to patronize you, and I know you said your tail lights work, but are these the running lights or brake lights?

I recently shorted out the fuse, and the brake lights work, just not the tail lights.

Other than that, I'd say just do a simple trace from the dimmer / switch to the panel. Or just get a test light and probe around.

You might also want to check to see if there's ANY voltage to the lights. Just pop the light out of the spedo and test it with a test light or DMM.

(They sell DMMs ate Freight Harbor, and while they aren't all too accurate, they're accurate enough for car applications and other applications. They're only about $3 bucks when on sale, and like $7 when not. I'd recommend buying one. You can test for low voltage and continuity [shorted wires])

Well I know what's wrong with mine, the printed ribbon on the back of my speed cluster is corroded out, so my lights on my speedo don't work. If I remember right all the lights in the gauges share the same ground.

Well I know what's wrong with mine, the printed ribbon on the back of my speed cluster is corroded out, so my lights on my speedo don't work. If I remember right all the lights in the gauges share the same ground.

It might be a low chance, but all of the bulbs might've blown because of a power surge? I mean... HIGHLY unlikely, but possible. Always check the easy things before you try the harder stuff.

I don't mean to patronize you, and I know you said your tail lights work, but are these the running lights or brake lights?

I recently shorted out the fuse, and the brake lights work, just not the tail lights.

Other than that, I'd say just do a simple trace from the dimmer / switch to the panel. Or just get a test light and probe around.

You might also want to check to see if there's ANY voltage to the lights. Just pop the light out of the spedo and test it with a test light or DMM.

(They sell DMMs ate Freight Harbor, and while they aren't all too accurate, they're accurate enough for car applications and other applications. They're only about $3 bucks when on sale, and like $7 when not. I'd recommend buying one. You can test for low voltage and continuity [shorted wires])

I apologize for the confusion, it was the brake light, the running lights were fine. I fixed that though, both brake ligh bulbs were burned out. I will check for corrosion on the terminals tomorrow, I would think that of there was corrosion though, I would have other issues with gauges.

If all your dash lights are out it's probably the dimmer switch. Take the wire connector off the back of the switch, turn the parking lights on and put a jumper across the two outside terminals of the 4-pin connector (sorry, it's late and I don't recall the colors). If your dash lights come on you have a dead dimmer switch. You can replace the switch or leave the connector off with a jumper on it. The only thing you'll lose is the dimmer function and any dome or interior courtesy lights.

If all your dash lights are out it's probably the dimmer switch. Take the wire connector off the back of the switch, turn the parking lights on and put a jumper across the two outside terminals of the 4-pin connector (sorry, it's late and I don't recall the colors). If your dash lights come on you have a dead dimmer switch. You can replace the switch or leave the connector off with a jumper on it. The only thing you'll lose is the dimmer function and any dome or interior courtesy lights.

Gonna try that myself tomorrow, and if that jumper trick works for my dash gauge light and i splice into those wires then my interior courtesy lights would still work off the dimmer/rotator switch? It dont DIM now, just turns off and on. Thanks